Tug-strap connection.



W. SHERARD. TUG STRAP CONNECTION.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.12, 1912.

Patented July 22,

' WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGIAPII $0.. WASHINOWN. D. C.

TENT FFTQE,

WILLIAM SHERARD, 0F FAIRPORT, MISSOURI.

TUG-STRAP CONNECTION.

T 0 aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that 1, WILLIAM SHERARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fairport, in the county of Dekalb and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tug Strap Connections; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to harness and it more particularly relates to improvements in tug strap connections.

An object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in tug-strap connections for substituting the buckles in present use.

Another object of the invention is to avoid the necessity for punching holes in the hame-connection strap, or in the tugstrap.

Another object of the invention is to provide for securing the hame connection strap and tug strap in such relation that they cannot be separated when the hame strap and tug strap are stretched or straightened, and another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is strong and durable, simple and economical of construction, and thoroughly eflicient.

In the accompanying drawings, which supplement this specification, Figure 1 is a fragmental top plan view of the right hand hame connection strap and tug-strap connected in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the construction shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmental detailed view, illustrating the manner in which the connecting-bars of the abutment-frames are seated between the layers of leather comprising the hame-connection strap. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the tug-frame, and, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the supporting plate or strap connection.

In these drawings, in which similar reference characters correspond with similar parts throughout the several views, the hame-connection strap 5, which may have its left hand end secured to the hame (not shown), is provided with a series of abutments or arcuate lugs 6, connected in pairs by means of spaced and parallel pairs of abutment-connection bars 7, being prefer- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 12, 1912.

Patented July 22, 1913. Serial No. 736,303.

ably formed integrally therewith so that each pair of abutments or lugs, together with the contiguous pair of bars 7, constitute a substantially rectangular frame. The length of the bar 7 is substantially equal to the width of the hame-connection strap, and the bars 7 are fitted between the layers of leather, which when sewed together, constitute the hame-connecting strap. These straps may be provided with any desired number of abutment-lugs appropriatelv spaced apart, and the inner surfaces of said abutment-lugs are fitted snugly against the opposite edges or narrow surface of the strap 5.

To the front end of the tug-strap S, is secured the tug-frame, which comprises a pair of substantially parallel tug-bars 8, having their front ends curved laterally and connected by a connecting yoke or plate 9; the rear edges of the bars 8 being connected by a tug-strap-bar 10. Extending laterally at right angles to the major portion of the bars 8, is a keeper member 11, comprising a yoke 12, which is in parallel and spaced relation to the bar 10, and connects the laterally extending arms of the said keeper member.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the bar 1.0 extends through the tug-strap 8, while the arms of the keeper 11 and the front ends of the tug-bars S extend across the hame connection strap, so that the strap 5 is con fined between the forward end of the strap 8 and the inner surface of the yoke 12.

The keeper member 11 is provided with oppositely disposed notches or recesses 13, while the bars 8' are provided with oppositely disposed notches 14. The forward portion of the tug bars are formed with reaii'wardly extending shoulders 15,in proper position for engagement with the forward ends of the pairs of oppositely disposed abutments or lugs 6, when in operation, and it will be seen that the lugs 6 prevent forward movement of the strap 5 relative to the frame 8 and strap 8. It will also be obvious that the lugs are so securely anchored, that they will overcome an enormous resistance and sustain an enormous pull, moreover, the yoke 12 prevents the bars 8' from being swung on the pivot or bar 10, sufficiently for the lugs 6 to enter the recesses 14, while the straps are stretched or straightened; and so, when it is desired to change the position of the strap 5, relative to the strap 8, said strap 5 must be bent laterally, so as to bring the forward end of the lug 6 into the recesses 14, whereupon the arcuate lugs may be caused to pass through these recesses, while the succeeding pair of lugs passes through the recesses 18 and into the position formerly occupied by the similar lugs 6.

In order that the free rear end of the strap 5 may be retained in proper relation with the strap 8, I provide one or more keepers 16, formed with a yoke 17 and with securing bars 18, said securing-bars or connecting-bars being anchored between the layers of the straps in the same manner that the bars 7 are anchored.

In order that the engagement of the lugs 6 with the shoulders 15 may be rendered more secure and safe, I provide the securing plate and supporting element illustrated in Fig. 5, and this element is provided with an aperture 19, the ends of which fit snugly over the keeper members 11, so that the plate is securely retained in parallel relation with the straps 5 and 8, when stretched. In other words, this plate is held at right angles to the members 11 and parallel with the member 12. This plate is provided with a forward extension or tongue 20 which is slightly curved away from the strap 5. The medial portion of the aperture 19 is wider than the end portions, so that the somewhat enlarged end of the strap 8, where it is connected to the bar 10, will not interfere with the plate, so as to be injured thereby. By means of this plate, the bars 8 are held in substantially parallel relation with the straps 5 and 8, so that all danger of the lugs 6 accidentally entering the notches 14L is avoided. It is obvious that the members illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 may be formed integrally, if so desired, and the same result will be accomplished, but from a point of economy in manufacture, the form illustrated may be deemed preferable.

While I have shown loops or strap connections 21 formed on the plate illustrated in Fig. 5, I do not wish to limit my invention to this specific feature, as obviously, any proper form of strap connection may be pro vided for supporting the tug and the straps which are to be associated therewith.

It will be seen that I have provided a de vice of this character which is fully capable of attaining the foregoing objects, and in a thoroughly practical and efficient manner.

I do not limit my invention to the exact details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herewith illustrated and described, but my invention may only be limited by a reasonable interpretation of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a tug strap connect-ion, a hame connection strap having a series of laterally disposed lugs extending oppositely from its edges, a tug strap, a tug frame secured to the front end of the tug strap and embrac ing the hameconnection-st rap andcomprising means for engaging the lugs when the hame-connection strap is straight, said tug frame having recesses through which the lugs may be passed when the hame-connection-strap is curved around said front end of the tug strap. 7

2. In combination, two straps, and a tug frame secured to an end of one of said straps and embracing the other strap, the last men tioned strap having a series of oppositely disposed lugs thereon, said tug frame having shoulders normally in engagement with certain of the lugs, a portion of the tug frame adjacent to the shoulders being widened sufficiently for the lugs to be passed therethrough, the said last mentioned strap being flexible so that it may be curved around the end of the first said strap where the frameis secured for releasing the engagement of said shoulders and said lugs and allowing the latter to be passed through the widened portion of the frame.

3. In a tug-strap connection, a frame, a strap secured thereto, said frame being constructed and arranged to have a second strap passed therethrough, said second strap having lugs spaced apart on each side of its narrow sides, said frame having shoulders for engaging the lugs and having notches through which the lugs may be passed, and a plate in fixed relation with the frame and normally parallel with the straps and having a tongue thereon extending in the direction of the notches for rendering the engagement of said shoulders and lugs secure, the said second strap being flexible so that it may be curved over the end of said tongue for allowing the lugs to be passed through said notches.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

,WILLIAM SHERARD.

lVitnesses:

H. E. PERRY, A. L. PARTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

